Chu You, once the abandoned ninth miss of the Chu manor, assassinates He Mingwu in the Pear Garden of Qinghua Alley using two silver needles, one piercing his mute point and the other striking his heart. As the audience erupts into chaos, she calmly blends into the fleeing crowd, but is intercepted by Prince Yi, Feng Yin, and his attendant, Wu You. Feng Yin confronts her about the murder, recognizing the victim as the son of Director He Wenbo. Rather than showing fear, Chu You reveals her past grievance: He Mingwu tied her to a tree and used her as a target when she was four, so she is merely returning the favor. She further demonstrates her knowledge of Feng Yin's own ruthless actions in dealing with the Yan Gou Gang a year ago. Seizing the opportunity, she proposes a deal, offering information about a planned bombing of grain ships at the canal dock during the Canal Transport Opening Ceremony in two days by the remnants of the Yan Gou Gang. To prove her credibility, she reveals her identity as the daughter of Minister Chu Jingshan, stating that if her information is false, Feng Yin can surround the Chu manor and hang her head on the city wall. Intrigued, Feng Yin agrees to let her live and wait for the outcome. Chu You leaves the alley and boards a carriage with her maidservants, Kou Yu and Zhan Qiu, heading to the Chu manor. She reflects on her past: she was originally named Chu Yujing, twin sister to Chu Yuning, but after being deemed inauspicious, she was ostracized by her family and ultimately abandoned in the Royal Hunt grounds at age four, leaving her to fend for herself. She survived in Hanyaling, a place regarded as a living hell, where she trained and endured hardships for thirteen years, renaming herself Chu You to signify a new beginning. At the Chu manor gate, she is met with disrespect from house servants and Nanny Liu, who informs her that she is to marry into Count Ronglu's Manor in place of her twin sister, who left without permission. Chu You retaliates against the servant's insults by using spiders and a powder from Zhan Qiu that injures Nanny Liu's eyes. When Chu Jingshan and First Madam Tao arrive, she confronts her father, challenging his claim of guilt and his demand for her to marry. She agrees to the marriage but sets three conditions: she must live in Meixiang Courtyard, she wants a generous dowry including Chu Yuning's original dowry and a street-facing shop from the family businesses, and she demands freedom of movement without interference from the manor. Despite Chu Jingshan's anger, he relents after persuasion from an attendant. Chu You settles into Meixiang Courtyard, which was once Chu Yuning's, noting its proximity to the dark alley outside for easy entry and exit. This was her real reason for choosing this courtyard. The next morning, Madam Jiang discusses the matter with Madam Tao, who reveals that Chu Jingshan is focused on maintaining his relationship with Count Ronglu, thus bringing Chu You back despite her reputation. Chu You's main conflict is rooted in her past abandonment and the family's attempt to use her for marriage, while her core opportunity lies in her alliance with Feng Yin and her return to the manor to exact revenge. Her growth involves shedding her passive nature and taking control of her destiny through calculated moves. The story sets up her final goal of revenge against those who wronged her, with the marriage serving as a means for her to access power and confront her foes. The immediate solution is her successful return to the manor and the establishment of her terms.
